Do t-tubules play a role in arrhythmogenesis in cardiac ventricular myocytes?

J Physiol. 2013 Sep 1;591(17):4141-7. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2013.254540. Epub 2013 May 7.

Abstract

The transverse (t-) tubules of mammalian ventricular myocytes are invaginations of the surface membrane. The function of many of the key proteins involved in excitation-contraction coupling is located predominantly at the t-tubules, which thus form a Ca(2+)-handling micro-environment that is central to the normal rapid activation and relaxation of the ventricular myocyte. Although cellular arrhythmogenesis shares many ion flux pathways with normal excitation-contraction coupling, the role of the t-tubules in such arrhythmogenesis has not previously been considered. In this brief review we consider how the location and co-location of proteins at the t-tubules may contribute to the generation of arrhythmogenic delayed and early afterdepolarisations, and how the loss of t-tubules that occurs during heart failure may alter the generation of such arrhythmias, as well as contributing to other types of arrhythmia as a result of changes of electrical heterogeneity within the whole heart.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / etiology
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / metabolism*
  • Calcium Signaling*
  • Excitation Contraction Coupling*
  • Heart Ventricles / cytology
  • Heart Ventricles / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism*
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / physiology
  • Sarcolemma / metabolism*